Research consistently shows that motivation flourishes when three core needs are met: belonging, competence, and autonomy (Ormrod et al., 2014; Tatter, 2019).
1. Belonging (Connection and Safety)
Students need to feel accepted, respected, and emotionally safe in the classroom.
- When met: Students are more willing to participate, take academic risks, and collaborate with peers. Engagement increases because students trust that mistakes are part of learning.
- When unmet: Students may withdraw, avoid participation, or act out behaviorally. A lack of belonging often shows up as low effort or resistance to learning.
Teachers support belonging by learning students' names quickly, valuing cultural identities, and building predictable routines that signal safety and respect.
2. Competence (Feeling Capable)
Students are motivated when they believe they can succeed with effort and support.
- When met: Students persist through challenges, show pride in growth, and engage more deeply with tasks.
- When unmet: Students may shut down, rush through work, or develop learned helplessness.
Providing clear expectations, scaffolded instruction, and feedback focused on growth--not just correctness--helps students build confidence in their abilities (Ormrod et al., 2024).
3. Autonomy (Voice and Choice)
Autonomy does not mean a lack of structure; it means meaningful choice within clear boundaries.
- When met: Students take ownership of learning and feel more invested in outcomes.
- When unmet: Students may comply superficially but disengage emotionally or intellectually.
Offering choices in topics, formats, or problem-solving strategies increases intrinsic motivation and engagement (Millacci, 2022).
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